A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Marchand-gild,) Marchand-gyld, Merchand-gilde, n. [? Cf. late ME. yeld marchaunt (1467) and e.m.E. and mod. Eng. guild merchant.] A rendering of L. gilda mercatoria in certain of the ‘Auld Laws’ of Scotland, appar. = an association of those engaged in trade in the early burghs, enjoying exclusive rights of trading within the burgh's liberty or trade precincts and a predominant part in the government of the burgh. (For the Older Sc. equivalents of the modern historical term ‘merchant guild’, see Marchand-gild(e)rie and Gild n.1 1.) —14.. Burgh Laws c. 98 (B).
Lytstarys sowtarys na fleshewaris sal nocht be in na marchand gyld [L. in gilda mercatoria] bot gyf thai oyse nocht thair offycys wyth thair awyn handis (15..) Acts I. 61/2.
That the merchandis of the realme sall haif thair merchand gilde [L. gildam suam mercatoriam] and sall ioice … the samyn with libertie to by and sell … withyn the boundis of the liberties of burghis
